An Ohio Division of Forestry plan to allow extensive timber cutting in the 8,000-acre Shawnee
Backcountry Area in southern Ohio is getting pushback from groups, including the Ohio Environmental
Council and Buckeye Forest Council.

Forestry’s plans would end a 14-year management strategy and include opening a “scenic” road
previously closed to vehicular traffic.

In calling attention to the policy changes set to go into effect in 2014, the conservation
councils say the land, which borders Ohio’s only state-designated wilderness, is home to endangered
and at-risk plants and animals. At-risk animals include bobcats, timber rattlesnakes and possibly
black bears.

A brochure for public consumption published by the forestry division, a branch of the Ohio
Department of Natural Resources, says this about the backcountry area in Scioto and Adams
counties:

“In 1999, approximately 8,000 more acres adjoining the Shawnee Wilderness Area were designated
for special management. The purpose of this area is to provide management opportunities for forest
wildlife and state listed rare and endangered species, while creating a unique walk-in hunting,
camping and recreational viewing area. Motorized travel in this area is limited to ‘special-use’
permits, which must be requested in advance.”

The environmental groups questioned whether the Ohio Division of Wildlife, a department of ODNR,
would take any role in protecting sensitive species from further habitat degradation.

Disability deer hunt

In what has become an autumn tradition in Morgan County, the Wolf Creek Chapter of the National
Wild Turkey Federation will host its “Ultimate Team-Up” for hunters with disabilities in
October.

The deer-hunting event, which is scheduled Oct. 18-20 at McConnelsville and is an outreach of
the federation’s Wheelin’ Sportsmen program with help from the Ohio Division of Wildlife, is open
to applicants with any type of physically challenging disability.

An experienced guide will be matched with each of the 40 to 45 qualifying hunters in the pursuit
of deer on AEP ReCreation Land. Participants need not be experienced deer hunters.

Prospective participants have until Aug. 28 to apply. For information on registering, call Gary
Casto at (740) 517-1161 or Shane McGrew at (740) 651-7337. Prospective sponsors can phone
Casto.

Parting shot

Some researchers are concerned that global warming is behind a significant decline in moose
numbers at the southern extremes of their range in North America. Meanwhile, white-tailed deer are
spreading north into areas previously dominated by moose.